98 SPAROIDS. 



tremely numerous and minute extremities of the enamel- tubuli. 

 Tliese, commencing as it seems from the external surface, divide 

 and subdivide as they pass inwards towards the dentine, not main- 

 taining a parallel course, but crossing each other, in an irregularly 

 and variously bent direction {b, fig. 2). 



The pulp-cavity becomes consolidated in the old incisors by a 

 coarse cellular ossification of the remains of the pulp (c, fig. 2). 



39. There are certain species of Sparoid fishes, which, like the 

 Gilt-heads, have four or six strong, conical, laniary teeth at the anterior 

 extremity of each jaw, with hemispherical molars behind ; but these 

 teeth never exceed two rows, and the small graniform teeth, when 

 present, are limited to the space posterior to the laniaries. This den- 

 tition, which characterizes the genus Pagrus of Cuvier, is represented 

 at fig. 15, Plate 1. The pharyngeal teeth likewise differ in form from 

 those of the Chrysophrys, being small and sharp pointed. In the 

 Braise {Pagrus vulgaris) , these teeth are arranged in strong pectinated 

 rows. They are fewer in number, and of a conical form in the Pagrus 

 Orphus. In one species, the anterior conical teeth of the upper jaw are 

 directed forwards and project from the mouth, the two external ones 

 being longer than the rest ; from this structure Cuvier has designated 

 the species Pagrus laniarius. 



In another group of Sparoid fishes (Pagellus, Cuv.) which have 

 rounded molars, like the Chrysophrides and Pagri, the anterior teeth 

 are restricted in their development, and form one or more pectinated 

 or villous rows at the front of the mouth (1). 



The pharyngeal teeth are unciform and stronger than in the Pagri. 

 There is one species of Pagellus which offers an anatomical pecu- 

 liarity so closely connected with the dental apparatus as to merit a 

 brief notice. The superior maxillary bones are expanded, and their 

 texture is as dense as that of the hard enamel of fishes' teeth : but 

 they are edentulous as in most other fishes. The habits of the species, 

 hence called Pagellus lithognathus, are not sufficiently known to afford a 

 knowledge of the use of these petrous maxillaries : they characterize 



(1) The intestinal canal is generally longer in the Payelli, which are compelled, from the 

 inferior armature of the mouth, to feed on organized matter of a lower grade than do the more 

 formidably toothed Payri and Dentices. 



